Is My Roof Suitable for Solar Panels? (A UK Checklist)

One of the most common questions we hear is, "Will solar panels even work on my roof?" The great news is that the vast majority of homes in the UK are perfectly suitable for a solar installation. To give you peace of mind, we've created this simple checklist to help you assess your own roof's potential.

The Ultimate Roof Suitability Checklist

Go through these six key factors to see how your roof stacks up.

✅ 1. Orientation: Which way does your roof face?

• Ideal: A large, south-facing roof gets the most direct sunlight throughout the day and offers maximum generation.

• Excellent: East and west-facing roofs are also fantastic. An "east/west split" system (panels on both sides) can generate a very consistent supply of energy throughout the day – one side for the morning sun, one for the afternoon.

• Avoid: A north-facing roof is generally the only orientation not recommended for solar panels in the UK due to low levels of direct sunlight.

✅ 2. Shading: Are there any obstructions?

• Look for anything that could cast a shadow over your roof, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.

• Common culprits include tall trees, neighbouring buildings, or even your own chimney.

• While a little bit of shading isn't a deal-breaker, significant shading can reduce efficiency. Our surveyors use specialist software to map the sun's path and assess any potential shading issues.

✅ 3. Space: Is there enough room?

• A typical 4kWp system, perfect for an average family home, requires around 8-10 panels.

• This translates to about 20-25 square metres of clear, unobstructed roof space.

• Don't worry about measuring it perfectly yourself – a free site survey from our team will confirm the exact dimensions.

✅ 4. Pitch & Angle: How steep is your roof?

• The ideal roof pitch in the UK for solar panels is between 30 and 45 degrees.

• However, panels can be efficiently installed on roofs with pitches as low as 10 degrees and as high as 60 degrees.

• What about flat roofs? No problem! We use special A-frame mounting systems to tilt the panels to the optimal angle for energy generation.

✅ 5. Roof Condition & Material:

• Your roof needs to be in good structural condition. If it's very old or has existing damage, this should be addressed before installation.

• Most common materials are perfectly fine, including:

  • Concrete tiles

  • Slate tiles

  • Asphalt shingles

• Some materials, like thatch or certain types of asbestos, are not suitable.

✅ 6. Planning Permission:

• For most UK homeowners, installing solar panels is considered "permitted development," meaning you do not need planning permission.

• The main exceptions are if your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, or a World Heritage Site. We can help you navigate this if it applies to you.

Conclusion

If you've ticked the boxes for a south, east, or west-facing roof with enough space and in good condition, you are very likely an excellent candidate for solar panels. The best way to know for sure is to get an expert opinion.

Don't guess, get a professional assessment! Book your free, no-obligation roof survey with Think Free Solar today.